Symptoms of brain cancer vary considerably depending on the location and size of the tumor. The symptoms are due to the growing tumor pressuring the brain and damaging healthy tissue. The most characteristic signs of any brain cancer include severe headaches, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms tend to become more intense and frequent over time as the tumor grows. If the tumor is located in the frontal lobe, the patient may experience sudden changes in personality. Other typical frontal lobe cancer symptoms include seizures, memory losses, impaired sense of smell, paralysis of one side of the body and loss of vision.
Changes in Personality and Emotions
Emotional symptoms are a hallmark of a frontal lobe cancer. Frequently, the patient experiences rapid personality changes. A kind, calm person might turn into an aggressive and violent individual whom the family members find hard to recognize. He might also have mood swings that seem to be triggered by seemingly insignificant incidences. A frontal lobe patient might lose his inhibitions, and behave in a way that is highly atypical for him. He might, for example, swear profusely. Some patients lose interest in things that used to interest them previously, and seem apathetic.
Frontal Lobe Seizures
Frontal lobe seizures are often the first symptom of a frontal lobe cancer, states the Mayo Clinic. They occur in approximately 33 percent of patients with frontal lobe cancer. Frontal lobe seizures typically occur during sleep. The symptoms of such seizures are unusual, and may resemble those seen in mental disorders. Some patient may make bicycle-pedaling motions, while others scream or laugh during the frontal lobe seizures.
Reduced Cognitive Functions
Reduced cognitive functions are frequent symptoms of frontal lobe cancer. Typically, a patient experiences difficulties in memory functions. Some patients might have a total memory loss, while others only have difficulty forming new memories. Difficulties in decision making, or impaired judgment abilities can also be experienced. Patients may also have impaired sensory abilities. Some experience difficulties in vision or sense of smell after developing a frontal lobe cancer.
References
- TCMWell: Symptoms of Frontal Lobe Tumor
- Mayo Clinic: Frontal Lobe Seizures
- CancerHelp.org: "Brain Tumor Symptoms"
- National Brain Tumor Society: "Brain Tumor FAQ"
- "American Family Physician"; Primary brain tumors in adults; Chandana, Mova, Arora; vol. 10, 1423-1430, 2008.
